Have any of you guys ever tested this receiver? Since I am still looking for the RIGHT ONE, I though I could consider this one. As a matter of fact it is very hard to decide when there are so many options available. Initially I had my mind set on the onkyo 608, but then I was told about the Audissey 2EQ thing, being advised of getting a model with Audissey Mult EQ. So my choices have been narrowed to Denon 3808, Denon 3310, Denon 2920, Onkyo 707, Marantz 6004, Denon 2809, onkyo 707 and a used Pioneer lx-70 (sorry I don't know what model is in US, this is a little old, from october 2007, but was the top model here I guess). I need some help choosing. Thanks for all your help.

I've had the SR6004 since the end of February and I'm very happy with it. If you haven't already, you might want to take a look at this review from Audioholics. The Marantz had all the features I need, a good amplifier section, and I could get it for a more reasonable price than some of the Denons, here in the Netherlands.

That said, many others on this forum are very happy with their Denons or Onkyos. I would concentrate on getting all the features you want without spending a fortune. As for the Marantz, keep in mind that it cannot apply Audyssey to bitstreamed HD audio (but it can if your blu-ray player sends it as LPCM) and video upconversion, from what I've read, is mediocre. (But, again, if you let your player do the upconverting and decoding, not an issue.) I'm not sufficiently familiar with Audyssey to comment on the differences between MultEQ and MultEQ XT, but that might be one reason, for some, to prefer the Denon 3310 over this Marantz.

In the end, if all else is equal, and you still can't decide: pick the receiver you think looks prettiest. I know I did.

I have the 6003, the predecessor to the 6004 and it has all the things that I need in an AVR(I am using outboard amps) without spending a small fortune. Since I am using outboard video processing, the simplicity of the video section and its clean HDMI pass through was appealing. I wasn't interested in an AVR with video processing that can affect the signal no matter how you set it. Audyssey was of no real value to me either. The only downside to this AVR is there are limited HDMI inputs(only three).

If you desire simplicity and quality sound, this AVR is as good as it gets.

I'm not up to date on receiver pricing...are all of those choices roughly the same cost? I'm very happy with my Denon 3808, but if they all are similarly capable then I'd agree with the sentiment that you should just pick the model that has the features you want.

Here in Japan they are all about the same price range, around $700 (2920 is $500, but someone here on forum has advised me to take this in case I wanted something cheaper).

The Marantz 6004 looks very good. You get 4in/2out HDMI ports, Dolby PLIIz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Bluetooth/IR receiver, and front USB.

As Jasper said the only problem is the video up conversion. As I stated on another post I was gonna be using my notebook blue ray player, it actually does the up conversion but I have not tested yet. In case it sucks I will definitely need to buy another player. I have read some reviews of the Denon 3808 and it has been said that the remote is not good and another thing about the music streaming program being not very good.

Ichigo, in the U.S. the factory refurbished Onkyo 707 is available for around $400, a outstanding buy, and I've suggested it several times recently. In your situation, however, if the prices of those listed are nearly identical, the pick should be the Denon 3310. If video processing might be significant to you, the 3310 has the superior Anchor Bay processor. Stop looking.

Thanks for the advice! I will check the stores to see if I can get a better price.

Weird thing the Japanese Denon 3310 model does not have network, I will have to check the specs then.

One thing thing that kind of bugged me when I was looking into upgrading to a HDMI receiver Ichigo was that many people reported a pop of death with this and the SR5004 with certain HDMI digital cable boxes. Just a word of caution, if you don't intend to use it no worries obviously. It appears Marantz hasn't taken the issue seriously, but I have no personal experience with it. Going by reviews from forums and Amazon.com. Best of luck.

Thanks DreamTheater! I have read an article about that. If I am not mistaken, to fix this it is needed to press 2 or 3 buttons on the remote control when the pop of death appears. I found this article while reading some Marantz 6004 reviews.
One good thing I heard about them was about the awesome quality playing songs. I don't know if the reviewer has an unbiased opinion but that was clearly stated on the review that the Denon and the Onkyo were no match in terms of sound quality while playing music, also the Marantz crossover cannot be modified for each speaker individually. Since I am not very experienced on HT matters I don't really understand what difference it would make, but from the posts here on Axiom forum that I read I figure it out it must be an important feature on a receiver. Sorry for my lack of knowledge!

Which is not as often, I have to believe, as that one thread over at AVS suggests. With all the SR5004s and SR6004s sold in the Netherlands, I've only read about one or two "pops".


Those are just the kind of reviews you'll have to take with a big grain of salt. The differences in sound quality between modern, well-designed receivers are negligble. Base your decision on something else.

I own the 6003, but before that I had a Denon 3802. I think the Denon had bit more power, but I can't hear a difference in sound quality...that is, with all sound processing turned off. I'm very happy with the Marantz except for the irritating weak response of the unit from the remote. I don't have cable tv, so I haven't run into any popping issues. But, I've mostly owned Denon over the years and have never had ONE problem with them. I don't have buyer's remorse for buying the Marantz since I got a good deal on it, but if I had to do it all over again, I think I'd go back to Denon. Ithink you get more features for your money with Denon...that's all.

Hey! Look everybody! It's Mary!

I was afraid you left us again!

Well if I choose one by the looks I believe Pioneer looks the best, at least for me. Onkyos have more input and output on entry level receiver than Denon. I was really going to get me a cheap model like pioneer 819 or onkyo 607, since I had spent a lot of money this month and then after a little while I would be upgrading to a better receiver. One thing that wasn't counting on my budget was the fact I spent $800 dollars more on speakers. LOL I just got a new bigger TV ( not as big as I wanted, but due to the lack of space here in Japan a huge screen has not been even considered), but for the suggestions I got here on the forum my mind has been made up into a better AV receiver. It is so hard to pick one without testing. Wish I could send them back to the store as some of you guys do in US.

One of the features I wanted was networking streaming and I phone dock. As I have been looking at the receiver just realized a network media player could be bought in case there is not this feature on the receiver I want.

I would always recommend a stand-alone network media player over that feature tacked onto another component.

End of discussion! Just bought the 3310, since I got in sale just saved $250. Even though in US the prices might be lower than the amount I paid. Hopefully I will be happy with it!

Very good buy, Ichigo. You should be very happy once you get past the owners manual(I assume that they make no more sense in Japanese than they do in English).

It probably comes in English with a Japanese to English language manual with some of the pages missing.